Single patient dose medicament dispenser with applicator

ABSTRACT

A tray having wells or depressions therein for holding a medicament or material and an applicator for applying the medicament or material. The applicator well has one open end from which a portion of the applicator extends. A cover seals the medicament or material well and the applicator well and a portion of the applicator. In one embodiment, the cover is a thin sheet or film that adheres or is heat sealed to substantially the entire surface of the tray. The portion of the applicator extending beyond the applicator well is used to facilitate the removal of the cover whereby the extended portion of the applicator acts as a lever to pry the cover form the body of the tray. Additionally, packaging material required to form the tray can be substantially lessened in those cases where the applicator that is relatively large in comparison with the amount of material to be packaged. Therefore, a larger applicator that is easy to use is associated with the material without unnecessary packaging. The dispenser or package permits small quantities of material to be easily dispensed for a single use or a single patient dose. Retaining means are provided for securing the applicator by friction fit within the applicator well. In another embodiment, a hinged cover is used in combination with a tray having multiple material wells which may be jointed or separately opened and closed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/680,136 filed Jul. 15, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,996 which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/275,003filed Jul. 13, 1994 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,273.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to packaging for the dispensingof a medicament to be applied by an applicator, and more particularly toa disposable easy to use single patient dose medicament dispenser orpackage having an applicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many applications, and in particular the medical and dentalprofessions, it is often necessary to apply a small amount of materialwith an applicator. Often, a dedicated applicator must be associatedwith the material to be applied. This is a result of the characteristicsof the material to be applied or the desire and need to apply thematerial or a medicament to a single patient and then discarding theremainder to prevent the possibility of cross contamination betweenmultiple patients. Presently in the medical profession, it is common touse a bulk container containing a medicament in combination with amultitude of disposable applicators such as brushes, spatulas, or cottonswabs. While in these applications the applicator is disposed of aftereach use, the possibility exists for the bulk container to becomecontaminated and therefore unusable, or if undetected, posing a healthrisk. Often it is difficult to determine whether or not a bulk containerhas become contaminated. Additionally, in many instances it is difficultto determine whether an applicator has been used and thereforecontaminated. Often, applicators have been purchased and storedseparately from the medicament or material to be applied. For example, asingle use applicator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,803 entitled"Disposable Dental Brush" issuing to Discko on Mar. 26, 1991. Thereindisclosed is a disposable dental brush for applying various dentalmaterials having an elongated handle with a tuft of bristles at one end.Additionally, various trays for holding and assisting in the dispensingof materials and medicaments are known. One such tray is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,106,297 entitled "Dental Bond Liquid and Sealant Tray"issuing to Discko on Apr. 21, 1992. Therein disclosed is a dental trayhaving depressions therein for holding a bottle of dental material and aplurality of distinctive shaped wells used for mixing. The commonpractice of dispensing a bulk material or medicament onto a tray that issupplied separately and in bulk and mixed with an applicator that issupplied separately and in bulk is often difficult and confusing. Oftenupon opening a bulk container, it requires some time to locate a tray aswell as an applicator. Often one of the components necessary is missingor not readily available. Therefore, the procedure, once started, cannotbe completed immediately. This is particularly disadvantageous in theapplication of materials or medicaments that require a specified amountof time in order to be effective. For example, this is true withmaterials or medicaments that are light sensitive or that have begun achemical reaction that once started, cannot be stopped. One such systemthat has contributed to the ease of use in applying a medicament isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,415 entitled "Dental Bleach SystemHaving Separately Compartmented Fumed Silica and Hydrogen Peroxide andMethod of Using" issuing to Haynee on Aug. 31, 1993. Therein disclosedis a supply of fumed silica provided in a mixing chamber and a supply ofhydrogen peroxide solution provided in an ampule packaged together witha spatula for mixing and applying the medicament after mixing to adental surface. While the invention disclosed in this patent contributesto the easy use of medicaments, it constitutes a relatively largepackaging system that is often difficult to open and use. Therefore,there is a need for a different packaging concept that will be easier toopen and use, less costly to manufacture with less wasted material andprovide easy handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a single patient dose package for storing,dispensing, and applying a material or medicament that requires anapplicator such as a brush, swab, spatula or the like. A tray is formedhaving a medicament well and an applicator well. The applicator well isconfigured to prevent contact with the medicament in the medicament wellprior to the intended use and application of the medicament in aparticular procedure. The applicator well has formed therein a retainingmeans for holding an applicator in position therein. The applicator wellis shorter than the applicator permitting a portion of the applicator toextend beyond the applicator well and one edge of the tray. A covercovers the tray, medicament well, and applicator well preventingcontamination of the applicator and the medicament contained within thetray.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aconvenient, single patient dose package that is easy to use and open.

It is a further object of the present invention to prevent potentialcontamination of a medicament and the applicator due to prolongedexposure during storage prior to use.

It is an advantage of the present invention that the single dose packageis easy to open.

It is a further advantage of the present invention that the single dosepackage with applicator requires a minimum amount of packaging materialin the making thereof.

It is a feature of the present invention that a portion of theapplicator extends beyond the tray and affixed cover.

It is a further feature of the present invention that a disposableapplicator is conveniently associated with a single patient dose ofmedicament in a convenient, easy to use package.

These and other objects, advantages, and features will become readilyapparent in view of the following more detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a plurality of connected singlepackages of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially sectioned, illustrating anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective top view illustrating a plurality of connectedsingle packages of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross section illustrating the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross section illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 10 inuse.

FIG. 13 is a cross section illustrating another embodiment of theinvention of the type shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14A is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view illustrating the operation of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.16 taken along line 17--17.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.18 taken along line 19--19.

FIG. 20 illustrates the side view of the embodiment of FIG. 18 in theclosed or assembled position.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21A is a sectional view taken on line 21A--21A on FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. A tray 10has formed therein a material or medicament well 12 and an applicatorwell 14. Tray 10 may be made from a plastic material that is easilyvacuum formed in order to make the medicament well 12 and applicatorwell 14 therein. Formed within applicator well 14 is a retainer 16 and aseal 18. The retainer 16 and seal 18 are protrusions that extend intothe interior of the applicator well 14 a predetermined distance. Theapplicator well 14 is adapted to receive a portion of an applicator. Theapplicator may be a spatula, cotton swab, sponge swab or the like. Inthis embodiment the applicator is illustrated as a brush 20. Brush 20has a crimp 22 therein, and bristles 21. The brush 20 may be a brushhaving construction similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,803entitled "Disposable Dental Brush" issuing to Discko on Mar. 26, 1991,which is herein incorporated by reference. The brush portion of theapplicator brush 20 fits within well 14 with the major portion of thebrush applicator handle 20A extending beyond the tray 10. The retainer16 is positioned to contact the crimp 22 on applicator brush 20. Thishelps to prevent the applicator brush 20 from being unintentionallyremoved from the applicator well 14. As shown, a substantial portion ofthe applicator or brush 20 extends beyond the open end or edge of theapplicator well 14. However, in some applications only a portion ofapplicator brush 20 sufficient to grasp easily need extent beyond theopen end of the applicator well 14. Seal 18 at the end of applicatorwell 14 helps to prevent contamination from entering the open end ofapplicator well 14. A medicament 24 is placed within medicament well 12.The volume of medicament 24 placed within medicament well 12 is a volumethat is sufficient to perform a specific procedure for a single patient,and may take into consideration the working time of the material ormedicament 24. After insertion of the medicament 24 and the applicatoror brush 20 within their respective wells, a cover 26 is affixed to topplanar surface 28 of tray 10. The cover is a thin flexible sheetmaterial, preferably made of clear transparent or light opaque plasticmaterial. This may be done with an adhesive or heat sealing. Theadhesively affixing or heat sealing of the cover seals the medicament24, the applicator portion of the brush or applicator within the trayand also helps to hold the applicator or brush 20 within the applicatorwell 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention in assembled form. Afterassembly, a single patient dose or unit dose package 30 is formed. Cover26 extends over the entire top surface of tray 10. The handle portion ofapplicator brush 20 extends beyond the open end or edge of applicatorwell 14, yet is securely held therein. The extension of applicatorhandle 20A beyond the tray substantially reduces the amount of materialnormally required in a disposable single patient dose or unit dose typepackage requiring an applicating device. The applicator or brush 20 alsoacts as a handle for grasping the entire package. The extension of theapplicator or brush 20 beyond the applicator well 14 also helps inremoving the cover 26 which is often securely attached to the topsurface of tray 10. The applicator handle 20A may be used to pry upwardthe cover 26. This is a particular advantage in that often during manymedical procedures, rubber gloves are required which would otherwisemake it extremely difficult to separate the cover 26 from the topsurface of tray 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in this embodiment, that a continuous seal 32 isformed between the medicament well 12 and the applicator well 14. Thisassures that the medicament is positively contained in medicament well12 and does not unintentionally contact applicator or brush 20 until thecover 26 is removed.

FIG. 4 more clearly illustrates the applicator well 14 formed withintray 10. The applicator well 14 has lips 13 that extend inward along theupper longitudinal edges of well 14 between protrusions 16 and 18 tofirmly secure the applicator or brush 20 within the applicator well 14.The sides of the applicator well 14 are flexible, therefore permittingthe applicator or brush 20 to be pushed through the opening past thelips 13. The distance between lips 13 is less than the diameter of theapplicator or brush 20. While FIG. 4 illustrates a gap between cover 26and the top surface of applicator or brush 20, often the cover 26material is thin and flexible, and depending upon the sealing processused, the cover 26 may be forced downward contacting the top surface ofthe applicator or brush 20 further helping to retain the applicator orbrush 20 within the applicator well 14 and sealing it from possiblecontamination. This is often the case when heat sealing is used incombination with a slight vacuum.

FIG. 5 illustrates the present invention in the form of a plurality ofsingle patient dose or unit dose packages 30 formed as a continuousstrip or a plurality of connected packages 30 being frangibly connectedtogether by a readily frangible connection 34. The individual singlepatient dose or unit dose package 30 may be easily snapped off at thefrangible connection 34 for use. The feature of the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 5 of providing a plurality of frangibly connectedsingle patient dose or unit dose packages 30 is particularly applicablewhen a particular procedure may require a sequence of applications ofthe same or different material, in which case the number of applicationsor different materials for a given procedure is conveniently providedtogether. Additionally, the portion of the applicator or brush 20 thatextends from the tray 10 may be used to correctly identify the sequenceof application or material by color of the applicator or brush 20. Adifferent color or shade being used for each different material orapplication.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6illustrates a tray 110 having a medicament well 112 and an applicatorwell 114 formed therein. Within applicator well 114 is a retainer 116.Retainer 116 helps to hold an applicator swab 120. The applicator swab120 has a cotton swab 121 on one end thereof. In this embodiment thecotton swab 121 contributes to holding the applicator swab 120 withinthe applicator well 114. The other end of applicator swab 120 extendsbeyond the open end or edge of applicator well 114. Also formed withinthe tray 110 are support ribs 136. The support ribs 136 add somerigidity to the tray 110 and permit the use of thinner stock material informing the tray 110. The ribs 136 reduce the top surface area that isaffixed to the cover 126. This helps removal of the cover 125.Medicament 124 is placed in the medicament well 112. A cover 126 coversthe entire top surface of tray 110 except for the ribs 136. The cover126 is typically a thin flexible sheet material as hereinbeforedescribed that may be affixed with adhesive or thermally sealed to thetop surface of tray 110. For illustration purposes only, the cover 126illustrated in FIG. 6 has been sectioned. Typically, the cover 126covers the entire top planar surface of tray 110, with the exception ofexposed portion 125 and depressed ribs 136. The exposed portion 125facilitates the removal of the cover 126. The tray 110 can be grasped bythe exposed portion 125 while the applicator swab 120 is pried upward,facilitating removal of the cover 126. FIGS. 7-8 are cross section viewsmore clearly illustrating the construction of this embodiment. FIG. 9illustrates a plurality of single patient dose or unit dose packages 130being connected with a frangible connection 134 as hereinbeforedescribed.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, tray 210 has a medicament well 212 and an applicatorwell 214 formed therein. Within applicator well 214 is formed a retainer216. Retainer 216 also helps to seal the applicator well 214 fromexternal contamination. An applicator swab 220 having a cotton swab 221on one end thereof is placed within the applicator well 214. A portionof the applicator swab 220 extends beyond the open end or edge ofapplicator well 214. Placed within medicament well 212 is a medicament224. Along the top surface of tray 210 is placed an adhesive 228. Theadhesive is absent from a portion of the top surface of tray 210 atadhesive free section 229 extending between the respective wells 212 and214. This adhesive free section forms a channel between the medicamentwell 212 and the applicator well 214. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate asection of the adhesive free section 229. Because there is no adhesiveover a small width between the medicament well 212 and the applicatorwell 214, the medicament well 212 may be squeezed as illustrated in FIG.12, with the cover 226 in place, forcing the medicament 224 to passthrough the adhesive free section 229 and into the applicator well 214and onto the cotton swab 221 of applicator swab 220. The applicator swab220 is then removed for applying the medicament.

FIG. 13 illustrates a slightly modified embodiment wherein themedicament well 212' has a slightly different structure to thatillustrated in FIGS. 10-12. In FIG. 13 the medicament well 212' has adiminishing stepped or bellows structure that facilitates collapsing ofthe medicament well 212' when squeezed. The step structure is made of aplurality of substantially concentric wells with each adjacent wellhaving a slightly smaller periphery or circumference.

FIGS. 14-15 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention thatfurther reduces to a minimum packaging material used in a single patientdose or a unit dose package. FIG. 14 illustrates a round head portion310' having a rectangular tail portion 310". The round head portion 310'has a round medicament well 312 therein. The rectangular tail portion310" has an applicator well 314 formed therein. The applicator well 314has a retainer portion 316 that extends inwardly within the applicatorwell 314. The retainer portion 316 also helps to seal the applicatorwell 314 from external contamination. The retainer portion 316corresponds to a crimp 322 formed on the applicator or brush 320. Asubstantial portion, greater than one-half of the length, of theapplicator or brush 320 extends beyond the open end or edge of theapplicator well 314. Therefore, only a minimum amount of material isrequired in the package. The top surface 323 of the round head portion310' and the rectangular tail portion 310" forms a sealing surface.

FIG. 14A illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Thisembodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, with theexception that the retainer 316' extends outwardly rather than inwardly.The outward shape of the retainer 316' matches that of the broadexterior periphery of the crimp 322 when the brush 320 is rotated 90°.The broad exterior periphery of the applicator brush crimp 322 on theapplicator brush 320 is wider than the lateral width of the applicatorwell 314. Therefore, the applicator brush 320 is securely held withinthe applicator well 314 and cannot be easily pulled out of theapplicator well 313 after a cover is affixed to the planer surface 323.The enlarged retainer 316 facilitates placement of the applicator brush320 within the applicator well 314 in the assembly of the package. Thisembodiment permits placement of the applicator brush 320 within theapplicator well 314 at substantially any angular rotation along thelongitudinal axis of the applicator brush 320.

Referring to FIG. 15, a cover 326 is applied to the top surface 323. Thecover 326 is typically made of a thin flexible sheet material that sealsalong the entire top surface 323 as hereinbefore described. Asillustrated in FIG. 15, the portion of the applicator brush 320extending beyond the open end or edge of the applicator well 314 iseasily held and used to pry up a portion of the cover 326, facilitatingeasy removal thereof when desired. This easy cover removal feature ofthe present invention is of great advantage, especially in many medicalapplications when rubber gloves are used, which would otherwise renderit very difficult to separate the cover 326 from the planar surface 323.Upon removal of the cover, the medicament 324 may be easily andconveniently applied whereupon the entire package and applicator can bereadily disposed of after use.

FIGS. 16-17 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. Thisembodiment is particularly applicable to procedures requiring the mixingof two or more materials in a particular procedure. Many proceduresrequire the mixing of two materials that chemically interact. In thisform, the tray 410 has formed therein at least two medicament wells 412and an applicator well 414. Within applicator well 414 is a suitableapplicating device, e.g. a spatula applicator 420. Spatula applicator420 has a broad flat portion 421. The broad flat portion 421 has adimension greater than the diameter of the handle portion of spatulaapplicator 420. A closed end portion 416 of the applicator well 414 hasa depth that is greater than the depth of the portion of the remaininglength of the applicator well 414 that receives the handle portion ofthe spatula. The broader spatula portion 421 of the spatula applicator420 fits within this deeper closed end portion 416 and forms a means forretaining the spatula applicator 420 within the package or tray 410.Also formed within tray 410 circumscribing the medicament wells 412 arefemale sealing rings or grooves 448. The tray 410 is provided with ahinged cover 426. The cover 426 is attached with an integral flexibleliving hinge or web 454. Formed within cover 426 are male or projectingsealing rings 450. Male sealing rings 450 in the closed position of thehinged cover 426 are arranged to mate and interlock with female sealingrings or grooves 448. Also placed on cover 426 is a mixing area 452. Themixing area 452 may optionally be placed on the tray portion 410 betweenthe medicament wells 412.

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. Atray 510 has formed therein at least two medicament wells 512 and atleast two applicator wells 514. Each of the medicament wells 512 have afemale sealing ring or groove 548 circumscribing it. Formed within eachof the applicator wells 514 is a retainer 516. Retainer 516 protrudesinto the applicator well 514 for holding an applicator or brush 520therein. The retainer, although not illustrated, may also be wider thanthe width of the applicator well 514 as described for the embodimentshown in FIG. 14A. Adjacent each medicament well 512 is a female lockingtab 558. Covers 526 are attached to the tray 510 by integral hinge orweb 554. Each of the covers 526 may be opened and closed independently.Formed within each cover 526 is a male sealing ring 550 for sealing itscorresponding medicament well in the closed position. The male sealingrings or projection 550 are adapted to mate with corresponding femalesealing rings or grooves 548 formed within the tray 510 in the closedposition. Associated with each cover 526 is a male locking tab 556. Malelocking tabs 556 of the cover 526 are adapted to mate with femalelocking tabs 558 of the tray in the closed position. This embodiment ofthe present invention is particularly applicable to a procedurerequiring a two part application of a medicament. In this embodiment, anapplicator brush 520 is associated with each of the medicament wells512. Additionally, some of the medicaments may be light sensitive andneed to be applied sequentially. This embodiment provides for covers 526that can be independently opened and closed as may be needed to permitapplication of the medicament for one part of the procedure withoutopening or uncovering the medicament required for a second part of aprocedure.

FIGS. 21 and 21A illustrate a further embodiment of the invention. Inthis form, the tray 610 is vacuum formed from a sheet of plastic whichis formed with a top or plane surface 611 about which there is formed acircumscribing depending side wall 612. In this form of the invention,the top or plane surface 611 is provided with at least two depressionsto define spaced apart wells 613 and 614 which are adapted to receive asuitable medicament or dental material. Frequently in a medical ordental application or procedure, a two part medicament or material isrequired. For example, in dentistry, many chemically cured materials areused to perform various dental procedures which must be kept separateduntil readied for use. The tray dispenser of FIG. 21 is particularlyapplicable for unit dispensing such materials. Each such material isplaced in each of the wells 613 and 614. The amount of material placedin wells 613 and 614 is sufficient to formulate a unit or single dose.Also formed in the top or plane surface 611 is an elongated recess 615and 616 arranged to receive a suitable applicator 617, e.g. a brush,spatula and the like, as previously described with respect to FIG. 18.In this form of the invention, a plastic film 618 is adhesively securedto the top plane of the tray to protect and cover the top planeincluding the wells 613, 614 and the material contained therein and theelongated recess containing the applicating head or end 617A of therespective applicator 617. It will be understood that the covering film618 may be rendered transparent or light opaque, depending upon thenature and/or characteristics of the material contained in the wells613, 614. To use the tray dispenser 610 of FIGS. 21, 21A, the user needonly to remove the covering film 618 to expose the material in the wellsand the associated applicator.

FIG. 22 is directed to a modified form of the dispenser tray shown inFIG. 21. In this form, the dispenser tray 710 is also in vacuum formsimilar to that of FIG. 21, except that it may be made somewhat smallersince only one applicator 717 is required. Between wells 713 and 714,there is formed a mixing area 719. If desired, the mixing area 719 maybe provided with a serrated or roughened surface. The applicator 717 isstowed in an elongated recess 715 extending along the length of the tray710. With the material placed in the wells and the applicator 717 inplace, the tray 710 is covered with a plastic film or sheet andadhesively secured thereto as hereinbefore described.

FIG. 23 illustrates a dispenser tray as described with respect to FIGS.14 or 15 wherein the dispenser trays are integrally connected by a frontweb 324 and a rear web 325. It will be understood that the webs 324 and325 are provided with a frangible portion to facilitate separating onetray from the other. In this form, the individual trays are chainconnected by webs 324 and 325 permitting the trays to be sold inclusters or groups.

FIG. 24 illustrates the trays as described in FIG. 14 or FIG. 14Aintegrally connected only by a single web 324.

FIG. 25 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. This form ofthe invention is similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 14,14A, or 15 wherein the applicator 820 has been modified to include aflange 822. The recess or applicator well 814 is also modified toprovide a recess portion 816 to accommodate the flange 822 of theapplicator 820. The arrangement is such that the flange 822 prohibitsthe applicator 820 from being accidentally or inadvertently pulled outof the dispenser tray 810. In all other respects, the dispenser tray ofFIG. 25 is similar to that hereinbefore described.

Accordingly, it should readily be appreciated that the presentinvention, in providing a single patient dose or a unit dose packagethat is easy to use and open having a dedicated applicator associatedwith each medicament clearly facilitates the ease of applying smallquantities of material safely and conveniently.

The invention has been particularly described for use as a single dosemedicament package with a dedicated applicator so as to be readilydisposable after use. However, it will be understood that the inventionmay also have non-medical or industrial uses. Also, the packagedescribed can be used as a sampler for allowing consumers to test or tryvarious types of products. It will also be understood that themedicament can be a liquid, gel or powder or any combination thereof.

The medicament may also be a dental etch or etchant such as thatdisclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/680,136 filed Jul. 15, 1996,entitled "Dental Etch and Package Therefor", which is hereinincorporated by reference.

While the present invention has been described with respect to variousembodiments, various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A single dose disposable dispenser for dispensing amaterial comprising:a tray having at least two wells formed therein, oneof said wells for receiving and containing a material to be dispensedand the other well adjacent thereto for containing an applicator, acover member connected to said tray sealing the material and applicatorwithin their respective wells, said applicator having an applicating endportion and a connected handle portion, said applicating end portionbeing disposed in said applicator well, said applicator well having anopening therein through which the handle portion of the applicatorextends outwardly of said application well, said material well beingsqueezable so that the material in said material well, when squeezed, isexpressed out of said material well and into said adjacent applicatorwell of said applicator and onto said applicating end portion with saidcover member in place.
 2. A package as in claim 1 furthercomprising:said material is a dental echant.
 3. A single dose disposabledispenser for dispensing a material comprising:a tray having at leasttwo wells formed therein, one of said wells being a material well forreceiving and containing a material to be dispensed and another welladjacent thereto being an applicator well, an applicator having anapplicating end portion and a connected elongated handle portion, saidapplicating end portion being disposed in said applicator well, saidapplicator well having an opening therein through which said elongatedhandle portion of said applicator extends outwardly of said applicatorwell, a cover member connected to said tray for sealing the material andsaid applicating end portion within their respective wells, meansadjacent said opening for releasably retaining said applicator relativeto said applicator well, and said material well being squeezable so thatwhen squeezed, the material in said material is expressed out of saidmaterial well and into the adjacent applicator well and onto saidapplicator end portion with said cover member in place.
 4. A single dosedisposable dispenser as defined in claim 3 wherein:said applicator wellincludes opposed side walls, said opposed side walls being spaced adistance slightly greater than the width of said handle portion, saidmeans for releasably retaining said applicator relative to saidapplicator well, including opposed projections extending inwardly ofsaid applicator well side walls adjacent said opening for frictionallyretaining said handle portion therebetween by a force sufficient toprohibit unintentional separation of said applicator from its well.
 5. Asingle dose dispensable dispenser as defined in claim 3 andincluding:said applicator well having spaced apart opposed sidewalls,said sidewalls each having an opposed projection extending toward eachother, and said applicator handle having a reduced portion for receivingsaid opposed projections when said applicator is placed in saidapplicator well to prohibit unintentional axial separation of theapplicator relative to said applicator well.
 6. A single dose dispenseras defined in claim 5 wherein said reduced portion forms a hingeconnection between said applicator handle and said applicating endportion.
 7. A single dose disposable dispenser as defined in claim 1 andincluding retainer means adjacent said opening for releasably securingsaid applicator within said applicator well so as to prohibit anyunintentional separation of said applicator from said applicator well.8. A single dose disposable dispenser as defined in claim 1 and havingretainer means defined as opposed projections extending inwardly of saidapplicator well,and said applicator handle portion having complementaryindented portions complimenting said opposed projections whereby saidopposed projections interlock with said indented portions when saidapplicator is disposed in said applicator well to prohibit anyunintentional separation of said applicator from said applicator well.9. A single dose disposable dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein saidmaterial well having a collapsible wall portion to facilitate squeezingof the material out of said material well and into said applicator well.10. A single disposable dispenser as defined in claim 1 and includingfrangible means for detachably connecting a plurality of said dispensersone to another.
 11. A single dose disposable dispenser for dispensing adental material comprising:a tray formed of a sheet material having atleast two wells formed therein, one of said wells defining a materialwell for receiving and containing a dental material therein, anotherwell adjacent to said material well to define an applicator well, anapplicator having an elongated handle having a free end and a connectedapplicating end portion connected to said handle opposite said free end,said applicator well having a first portion for receiving saidapplicating end portion and a connected second portion for receiving aportion of said handle adjacent said applicating end portion, saidsecond portion of said applicator well terminating in an opening throughwhich said free end of said handle extends, said handle having a reducedportion adjacent said applicating end portion, said reduced portionhingedly connecting said applicating end portion to said handle, wherebysaid applicating end portion may be disposed at an angle relative tosaid handle, a cover member connected to said tray to seal said dentalmaterial and applicating end portion within their respective wells,means for releasably securing said applicator within said applicatorwell with a force sufficient to prohibit unintentional separation ofsaid applicator from said applicator well, and means defining apassageway between said material well and said applicator well wherebysaid material in said material well can be expressed out of saidmaterial well and into said applicator well and onto said applicatingend portion of said applicator when the material well is squeezed withthe cover member in place.